Associate in Applied Science Code 5355
Program Contacts:
QC Campus
Karen Baber, 309-796-5362, baberk@bhc.edu
Nan Reddy, 309-796-5161, reddyn@bhc.edu
East Campus
Wendy Smith, 309-854-1713, smithw@bhc.edu
The Nursing Associate Degree (ADN) Program is designed to prepare nurses who, as beginning practitioners, are able to give quality nursing care to clients and function as members of nursing and health teams. Upon completion of the program, a graduate may be eligible to take the examination for licensure as a registered nurse.
Registered nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, physicians’ offices, clinics, and community agencies.
The curriculum for nursing is career-oriented. The program is accredited by the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (404-975-5000, www.nlnac.org).
Each applicant must meet the following admission requirements and will be evaluated on an individual basis:
- High school graduate or equivalent.
- Top 25% of high school graduation class or consent of nursing department.
- ACT composite score of 20 or above if applicant has graduated from high school within the past five years and has taken no college courses.
- Any developmental courses that are required as determined by ASSET or COMPASS scores.
- A 2.7 (C+) cumulative grade point average in college courses. Minimum of nine college level credit hours required if out of high school over five years or does not meet high school requirements.
- Attendance at informational meeting.
- Physically able to provide client care.
- Transfer students are admitted into the ADN program on an individual basis. In addition to following transfer admission guidelines, a transfer student intending to enroll in the ADN program must produce unofficial transcripts at their individual conference with nursing faculty and/or nursing advisor.
Students should refer to ADN program booklet and student handbook for additional guidelines.
Students with chronic health problems or physical disabilities will be accepted unless the health problem or disability is such that the student would be unable to complete the objectives of the program. (See technical abilities required by health care programs.)
Students with chronic health problems or physical disabilities will be accepted unless the health problem or disability is such that the student would be unable to complete the objectives of the program. (See Technical Abilities Required by Health Care Programs for more information.)
For Licensed Practical Nurses who desire advanced placement, the same admission procedures apply. Once accepted into the nursing program, the LPN then takes NURS 100-Transition Course for LPNs. Upon successfully passing the Transition Course, LPNs will receive credit for NURS 112. The NURS 100 course will remain current for one year after completion.
All students must achieve grades of “B” or above in BIOL 145 and 146 and a “C” or above in all other required general education courses.
Required general education courses may be repeated until a “C” grade is earned but the student may have to drop out of nursing in order for the course to be properly sequenced in the nursing curriculum.
Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all nursing courses. If a lower grade is earned the course may be repeated once. If the student fails to earn a grade of “C” or better on the second attempt, they will be dismissed from the program. A second failure to earn a “C” in subsequent nursing courses, even though the first course may have been successfully repeated, is also grounds for dismissal.
Students returning to the nursing program after a period of absence will be evaluated on an individual basis as to both theory and clinical competencies before re-admission.
Non-nursing courses may be taken prior to or concurrently with the nursing courses in the same level, unless permission is obtained from the Associate Degree Nursing Department to alter the plan.
Laboratory fees for nursing courses are approximately $400 per semester. These are in addition to other College fees.
Students must successfully document and meet all health and background checks required by academic programs and/or clinical sites prior to admission to program and/or courses.
Course of Study Outline
Preparatory Course (Credit Hours)
PSYC 101 — Introduction to Psychology (3)
First Semester – Level I (Credit Hours)
NURS 112 — Nursing Concepts I (10)
NURS 138 — Introduction to Professional Nursing (1)
BIOL 145 — Anatomy-Physiology I (4)
PSYC 200 — Human Growth and Development (3)
Second Semester – Level II (Credit Hours)
NURS 122A — Psychosocial Nursing Concepts (5)
NURS 122B — Physiological Nursing Concepts (5)
BIOL 146 — Anatomy-Physiology (4)
SOC 101 — Principles of Sociology (3)
Third Semester – Level III (Credit Hours)
NURS 216 — Nursing Concepts III (10)
BIOL 261 — Microbiology (4)
SPEC 175 — Intercultural Communications or (3)
ANTH 102 — Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or
PHIL 103 — Ethics or
PHIL 100 — Logic or
a foreign language course
Fourth Semester – Level IV (Credit Hours)
NURS 226 — Nursing Concepts IV (10)
NURS 230 — Transition into Practice (2)
*Mathematics Elective (3)
ENG 101 — Composition I (3)
Minimum total hours required for degree (72)
*100 level math course
Completion of the Associate Degree Nursing program does not automatically guarantee a graduate the right to take the National Council Licensing Examination or to become licensed as a registered nurse. The student is bound by the Illinois Nursing Act Section 8 and Section 15. For more information, refer to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules – Administrative Code: http://www.ilga.gov.commission/jcar/admincode/068/068013000000750r.html
